Using my Twisbi Iris VAC700R to create different line weights and variation by adjusting my writing pressure and grip, and using different parts of the nib to sketch with. This is to see how much line variation I can get out of this fountain pen that I love using for urban sketching.

If you could only take one pen out urban sketching, could you do it? If so, what pen would you use? I considered but discounted my fude collection in favour of the Twisbi Vac700R, and am wondering if she can give me all the line variation I’m looking for. Is she “the one”?

Using the first pen I bought when I started sketching – the Yellow Lamy Safari fountain pen – to experiment turning the F nib into a Fude nib.

Day 95 of sketching people. Today I sketched groups at the monthly Sol de Inverno event in Tavira. I used a different easel today, made out of an A5 watercolour book cover, and it worked really well.

Here’s my current urban sketching set up when drawing and painting on location. It includes a DIY sketchbook board I made out of recycled watercolour pads. It works really well for A4, A5, and A6 size sketchbooks. Find out how to make it, and what else I attach to my board when I’m urban sketching.

Day 86 of sketching people. The calm of sketching people at the cafe when you know they’re not going to move much vs. the urgency of sketching people on a bench when you fear they may get up to walk at any minute means you create different line styles. Tight vs. loose.

Day 64 of sketching people. A sunny day so I headed to the Algarve town of Olhão for a full day of urban sketching. I sketched on public transport there and back, and at the market, and a local cafe. There was also a surprise Carnaval parade that had taken place, and that greeted me when I arrived. Another interesting sketching opportunity.

Despite finalising my urban sketching watercolour palette in 2025, and vowing not to change it. I needed a replacement for New Gamboge, and did a pigment assessment of the other yellows I have on hand, to see if one of them would be a good replacement. Turns out Permanent Yellow Deep is a much better warm yellow to have in my palette, and here’s why.

Despite finalising my urban sketching watercolour palette in 2025, and vowing not to change it. I’m getting rid of my Phthalo Green and replacing it with a premixed green. But I wanted to make sure I could still create the beautiful bright turquoise that I love when mixing Phthalo Green and Phthalo Blue.

Day 28 of sketching people in ink and watercolour. Today was an urban sketching session at the Tavira Plaza Mall, where I spent a couple of hours in the Food Hall sketching and painting diners.

Refining my urban sketchers watercolour palette for 2026, by replacing Indigo Blue with Cobalt Blue. Exploring the way to mix replacements for my premixed greens. Discovering if I really have a use for my Phthalo Green.

An overview of the colours in my urban sketching palette and why they’re in there.

Here’s some tips and inspiration when you’re looking to refine your urban sketching watercolour palette to create a set that will be useful in any scenario. I worked with Jane Blundell a colour triad and watercolour mixing aficionado, to revamp my palette, and create one that would work for the subjects I like to paint.

My very paired-down urban sketching art kit for our 4 week trip to Turkey. Traveling Light with just split primaries, one brush, one pen, and a watercolour book.

Discover how I’m approach June’s Tonal challenge with my current urban sketching watercolour kit.